Hamper.



E. HILL.

HAMPER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 19M.

Patented J 11116 1, 1915.

1,1AI=1,638a

Attorneys Wltnesses 1 1 I i g f G THE NORRIS PETERS CO PHOTO-LFTHOH WASHINGTON. D. C.

EDW SZN HILL, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

HAMPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

Application filed July 10, 1914.- Serial No. 850,201.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWYN HILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and'State of TeXas, have invented a new and useful Hamper, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to hampers, and is particularly an improvement over the parcel post hamper disclosed in my copending application filed February 14, 1914, Serial No. 818,741.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a hamper adapted particularly for transporting parcel post packages, or which may be employed by express companies, bakeries, laundries andthe like, to fulfil the needs of a device of the present character.

It is the specific object of the present invention to providea hamper of novel and improved construction, whereby the same may be compactly collapsed, when not in use,

for purpose of ready storage and shipment,

the hamper being provided with unique means for holding the same in open or packagereceiving position.

It is also within the scope of the present invention to reduce the construction of the device to the utmost simplicity and cheapness, consistent with the convenience, serviceability and efficiency of the device.

- With the foregoing and other objects in view which will'appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details ofconstruction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein z Figure 1 is a perspective view of the hamper in extended or unfolded position.

Fig. 2 is'a perspective view of the hamper in folded or collapsed condition. Fig. 3 is a'longitudinal section of the hamper in eX- tended condition, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the device in extended condition.

The hamper embodies a collapsible container or receptacle, which is preferably of rectangular outline, and which includes a base or bottom 1 of suitable construction,

having a marginal upturned flange or rim 2, and the container further includes a rectangular frame or rim member 3 and fabric or flexible sides and ends 4 connecting the rim member 3 and the flange 2 of the bottom 1. The sides and ends of the container are adapted to collapse to enable the rim member 8 to be placed immediately upon the bottom 1 when the device is to be folded.

A cover 5 is provided for the container, and is equipped with a marginal rim or flange 6 adapted to be slipped over the rim or frame member 3 of the container, to close the container. Suitable handles 7 are preferably attached to the ends of the cover 5 for enabling the hamper to be conveniently handled during its transportation.

As a means for holding the cover 5 in place, and for holding the container and cover intact during shipment, straps 8 are passed transversely around the sides, bottom and top of the hamper, and are provided with buckles in order that the straps may be opened when the cover 5 is to be removed. The cover 5 is preferably provided'with strap guides 9 thereon through which the straps 8 are passed, to hold them against longitudinal shifting. and the straps 8 are preferably riveted or otherwise secured to the bottom of the hamper to hold them in place.

The means for holding the container in open or unfolded condition comprises a pair of props 10 disposed within the end portions of the container. Theprops 10 are of skeleton or frame-like form, and each embodies a pair of upright strips or struts 11 disposed adjacent the sides of the container, and having their lower ends pivotally anchored to the bottom 1 of the container by means of hinges 12 adjacent the corresponding end of the container. Each of the props 10 also embodies a lower cross strip or bar 13 terminally riveted or otherwise secured to the strips or struts 11 adjacent their lower or hinged ends, and a cross bar or strip 14 terminally riveted or otherwise secured to the strips 11 adjacent their free ends. The props 10 are of a size corresponding with the ends of the container, to fit snugly against the ends of the container when the container is in unfolded condition, with the strips or struts 11 disposed within the corners bf the container. The lower strips 13 of the props are adapted to engage over the ends of the rim 2 of the bottom,

while the upper strips 14 are-adapted to engage under the ends of the rim member 3 i when the props are swung upwardly to upright positions, as seen in Fig. 3.

When the device is to be folded, the props may be swung inwardly and downwardly upon the bottom 1 within the rim 2 thereof, in order that the container may be folded as seen in Fig. 2.

Depending or pendant latches are pivoted to the ends of the rim member 3, and

'have leather tabs or finger pieces 16 secured to their lower or free ends, whereby the latches may be conveniently swung by hand. The latches 15 are adapted to be swung downwardly over the free ends of the props 10, or the cross bars'1t thereof, when the props are swung to upright position as illustrated in- Figs. 3 and 4.

latches'15 serve to hold the props in erect Thus, the

position when the hamper is in unfolded condition.

In use, when the hamper is to be filled, the cover 5 is first removed, and the rim member 3 raised to distend the container.

1 The props 10 are then swung to upright position, whereby their free end portions or "cross bars 14 engage under the ends of the rim member 8, to support the rim member in elevated position, and to therefore hold the container unfolded. The latches 15 may then be swung to engage over tlie cross bars 1 14, for holding the props in position, and

the container may then be filled with the articles or packages to be transported, in which event, the cover 5 may be slipped over the rim member 3, and the straps 8 buckled and drawn taut to hold the cover and container intact. In this condition, the hamper may be'readily handled and shipped withoutv difficulty, and without liability of fragile articles within the hamper being broken or damaged.

WVhen the hamper has reached its destination, the straps 8 may be opened, and the cover 5 removed so as to enable thev conleased, and the rim member 3 may then be dropped onto the bottom 1. The .cover 5 may then be applied to the rim member 3 and the straps 8 properly wrapped around capabilities of the present invention will be 7 obvious to those versed in theart, without further comment being necessary, it being noted that the present hamper is comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction, may be-constructed in'various sizes according to the circumstances and needs, and

is otherwise of practical merit.

Having thus described the;

invention, what 1S claimed as new 1s 2- 1. "A hamper comprising a container in I y 7 eluding a bottom, a rim member, andcol lapsible walls connecting them; props disposed withinthe container, hinged to the bottom, and having their free ends engageable with the rim'member when the same; 1s ra sed; and latches carried 'by'the rim' member and engageable withthe free ends of the props to hold them in place.

2. A hamper comprising a containerincluding a bottom, a rim member,and' col connecting. them, props: hinged to the bottom and having their free ends arranged to swingunder the rim memlapsible walls her when the rim member is raised, and latches pivoted to the rim member to swing over the free ends-of'the props. r

3. A hamper comprising a container 1Il eluding a bottom, a rim member, and collapsible walls connecting them; props with in the container and each including a pair 1 of struts hinged to the bottom at the-re spective corners of the container, and'a cross bar connecting the free ends of thestrutsand adapted to fit under the; rim member whenthe rim member is raised; andlatch'es 1 carried by the rim member and engageable over-the said cross bars to holdthem in place.

In testimony th-atIclaim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signa ture in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWYN HILL,

Witnesses: 1 f

Josnrr-r Baum 'BLANZION, e v I Burr'naLEv-vrs 'KNIeHr.i-

. Gopieaof this patent may be obtained for fivecents ea byaddressing-pthe Commissioner rant, V V i 'Washingtoml'). G. r V 

